Ask The Rabbi
Halachic questions answered by Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
5,519 questions and answers
# 4346 Lost your Head?
We just heard that in an extremely rare and complex operation, Hadassah Medical Center surgeons have reattached a 12-year-old boy’s head to his neck after a serious accident in which he was hit by a c...
# 4345 At Face Value
If I can choose a place where to learn in a Beis Midrash, is it better to choose one facing the Mizrach (east) as we do for davening, since we also say “Ki Mitzion Tetzeh Torah, Udevar Hashem M’Yerush...
# 4344 A Matter of Life and Death
Why is that on the day of the Yohrzait of a dear one, it is usual for many to give a kiddush after davening, give a Tikun and offer a ‘Lechaim’. Should not the day of Yohrzait be a sad and mournful d...
# 4343 Enlightening the Light
Kvod Harav; On the night of Tisha Beav if after returning from shul one goes home sits low, continues to recite Kinos or learns the permited Torah parts, does he also have to dim the lights or place s...
# 4342 Be Patient with the Patient
See question above. Is one allowed to sit before Chatzot on Tisha Beav morning when visiting a patient and staying a while?...
# 4341 Careful What you Wish
When someone has to visit a family sick person during Tisha Beav morning, can one wish him a Refuah Shleima or is that prohibited since it may be seen as a prohibited salutation on that day?...
# 4339 Know Where You Stand
Dear Rabbi. If one travels by subway or bus during the morning of Tisha Beav, does one have to remain standing or can one seat before Chatzot? (midday)....
# 4338 Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat
If I am home alone for a meal and my cat is sitting with me, can I still say the line about blessing all those that are seated here?...
# 4337 A Tip on a Mezuza
I walk by a house that has the Mezuzah on the right side of the door post but tipped away from the house. I mentioned it to the Rabbi who knows the owners but it’s still sitting there like that. ...
# 4336 Count Your Chickens
Lab-grown chicken, meat could soon find its way onto American plates after USDA approval, Billed as "meat without the slaughter," lab-grown or "cultivated" meat made by two manufacturers has been appr...
# 4335 Collect your Wits
There is commonly Hefker clothing offered in yeshiva after Rosh Chodesh. May one take it even though it is 9 days since it will be gone when one returns for Elul Zeman?...
# 4334 On the Edge of One’s Chair
What should one do if a wheelchair bound individual requests on Shabbos to be wheeled to or from his Shabbos host, when the eruv is either unreliable or one personally have a minhag not to rely on it?...
#4333 Take the Best Seat
Dear Rabbi. Does the low seat or stool used during Tisha Beav has to be less that three Tefachim high?...
# 4332 In Troubled Waters
Is it permitted to use the water in a swimming pool when collected in a cup or similar to wash hands for eating bread?...
# 4331 An Essential Email?
If one was Mekabel Shabbos before receiving an email confirming that the Eruv is up, does he need to avoid carrying on Shabbos until he hears that it is up from someone who was Mekabel (received it) l...
# 4330 Intent the Right Intention
What is the correct intention to have when reading the shema at a minyan that davens Mincha just before the Plag and Maariv immediately after?...
# 4329 Choose Your Lion
Dear Rabbi and friend. Our great Shulchan Aruch begins with the eternal words commanding us that “One should strengthen himself like a lion, to stand up in the morning to serve one’s Creator.” I truly...
# 4328 Answering Aneinu
Kavod Horav. Since due to age and illness, I’m unable to fast the complete coming fast of Shiva Asar Betamuz, and I have to eat before Mincha. When I daven Mincha do I say Aneinu?...
# 4327 Your Mezuza in Your Home
See question above. Who has to pay for the Mezuza?...
# 4326 The Chosen Bachurim
Bachurim in a yeshiva in America, if the yeshiva rents a basement for them, who is responsible for getting the mezuza and may they delay for 30 days in putting it up?...